Ah, the summer, with its soaring temperatures and endless blue skies. This is a time to shed the layers and embrace the warmth, a time to get out and about, to end the gloom of lockdown.
For some, however, getting some exercise or even taking a long walk can become a tad uncomfortable. Especially when baring your legs in the summer heat. We’re talking ‘chub rub’, the painful chafing that can occur when the upper thighs rub together. Let’s face it, with the average size in the UK being a size 16, not many of us have a thigh gap, so we’ll all experience a certain level of friction. However, for some this can become really painful and leave a painful rash, blistering or even an open wound.
However, fear not, you’re not destined to live in Bermuda shorts or capri trousers for the whole of the summer. You can wear that maxi dress or mini skirt and still feel comfortable in the sweltering summer heat that we intermittently enjoy in the UK.
When it comes to dealing with thigh chafing, there are steps you can take to prevent it from occurring. Here are the three main lines of defence:
Shapewear
Thigh-slimming shapewear is an incredibly popular option in the summer months, to smooth out unwanted lumps and bumps and prevent unwanted chafing. In particular, we’re talking shaping shorts and long leg panty girdles, particularly those that are high waisted. These will give you an amazing hourglass silhouette, smoothing out the tummy, shaping the hips, lifting the butt, and slimming down the thighs.
If you choose shapewear, just make sure you check the length of your clothing against the shapewear, as a glimpse of your thigh shapers will definitely ruin the look of your outfit!
Here are some of our favourite pieces:
Plus size shaping shorts
These soft, comfortable shaping shorts provide medium compression to smooth out your tummy, butt and thighs. They’re made of light, breathable material that’s gentle on the skin and are perfect for the summer weather. They’re available in nude, white and black, and have a pretty lace trim, so if you like them, we recommend buying them in every colour!
Plus size panty girdle
If you’re looking for more powerful contouring, then this is the foundation garment for you. It provides medium compression from the abdomen to the lower thighs, so is perfect for longer length dresses and skirts. This panty girdle also features a silicone band to ensure it stays in place and has a unique no-roll design so you won’t experience annoying rolling down or bunching up of the waistband.
Classic nude control shorts
These classic shorts provide seamless, invisible-line control. Their longer leg length is perfect for preventing thigh rub and they’re available in nude, which is perfect for pairing with your summer wardrobe.
Nude high waisted shaping shorts
Slimming, controlling and so seamless it might not be there at all, this girdle gives a high level of support. Made from firm compression fabric, with jacquard panelling for maximum tummy control, this shapewear delivers exceptional control. A longer leg length also makes it perfect for preventing thigh chafing.
Firm shaping shorts
Available in nude, white and black, we think this is a wardrobe essential for all seasons. The high compression will help you drop down a dress size, cinching your waist, lifting your butt, shaping your hips and slimming your thighs. Made of the softest microfibre and with a silicon waistband for comfort, this is the perfect shaping and anti-chafing item for your underwear draw.
Balms and Creams to Prevent Chafing
There’s a great range of anti-chafing products on the market, including balms, gels, sprays and creams. Here are our top picks:
Body Glide Anti Chafe Body Stick
This specific treatment targets the problem area and effectively acts as a barrier to prevent chafing. What’s more it’s not sticky at all, meaning you can apply it just before you need it.
Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel
If you don’t have a balm to hand then creams and gels can work just as well. is an excellent option, it provides a breathable barrier to help avoid or soothe chafing of the skin.
Bepanthen
Any new Mums out there might actually already have a treatment readily available – Bepanthen. This well-known nappy rash cream is not only good for protecting a baby’s delicate skin, but it’s also fantastic for soothing painful skin irritation in adults too, particularly in areas that are prone to chafing. As you might expect, the formulation is fragrance-free and preservative-free, so it’s a great choice for even the most sensitive skin.
If you’re suffering and don’t have these items to hand, you can even make your own treatment. Just mix petroleum jelly with talcum powder, two bathroom staples that we all tend to have in our bathrooms, for your own proprietary anti-chafing solution.
Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
Last, but by no means least, we have anti-chafing thigh bands. Relatively new to the market, these silicone-backed bands hug the upper thighs, acting as a physical barrier to chafing. Just make sure you measure your thighs so that you get the right size and fit, as you don’t want these slipping down and making an unwanted appearance!
We hope that’s helped you avoid the discomfort of thigh chafing. With this taken care of, you can bare those legs and get out and enjoy the summer heat. For more shapewear essentials, check out our plus size shapewear range today.
Tips for choosing plus size clothing
